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Chapter 276
Having successfully slipped unnoticed into the crowd, Iona swept her gaze across the hall as if conducting an inspection.
Most people were fixated on the conversation unfolding between the Empress and the Archduke.
No doubt, once the spectators dispersed, every word exchanged here would soon echo throughout the entire capital.
For the Empress, it was a situation that could easily become burdensome—
After all, between the two of them, the one with hidden corruption was unmistakably her.
It was a pity that Richard happened to be absent.
Iona couldn’t help but wonder how Richard would have reacted upon learning that the hostage who had slipped from his grasp had suddenly reappeared before him.
“How dare those ruffians lay a hand on the Archduke’s heir?”
The Empress raised her voice in outrage, as though the very notion were unthinkable.
Just as Iona had done earlier, the Empress too now pretended to side with the Archduke without hesitation— despite the fact that she had not only turned a blind eye to the Nant Tribe’s assault but had practically provoked it.
“In the North, such things are not uncommon,” the Archduke replied calmly. “When the ruling family takes the lead, it raises the soldiers’ morale.”
“I understand what you mean, but… surely your own safety should come first.”
The Empress’s words of concern sounded less like worry and more like a warning.
It was her way of saying: if you don’t wish to see something far worse, you’d better watch yourself.
One thing was clear—the Empress was watching the Archduke closely, wary of every move.
And, just as she feared, the Archduke had not come here simply to pay respects to a man who was a brother in name only.
“I appreciate your concern,” he said evenly, “but the territory of Bilfaud is not so safe that our warriors can afford to hold back.”
“…That is truly unfortunate,” the Empress replied smoothly. “If you ever feel you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ll see what can be done to help.”
“Are you sincere?”
The Archduke’s expression hardened as he asked the question.
The Empress—who had only been offering a perfunctory courtesy—was caught off guard.
“Of course,” she replied after a half-beat pause, her tone just a little too stiff to sound genuine.
She was likely only maintaining the façade of a benevolent ruler before the crowd; if an actual request for aid came later, she fully intended to delay it under one excuse or another.
Perhaps she even believed such a situation would never arise at all.
But the Archduke’s next words shattered her expectations completely.
“In truth, my visit today is not merely ceremonial. There’s a matter concerning the North’s security that I must urgently discuss with the Imperial Family.”
Keeping his gaze fixed on the delicate veil that concealed the Empress’s face, the Archduke continued in a deliberate tone.
“We have finally uncovered a lead as to what lies behind the unending assaults of the Nant Tribe.”
His words carried weight—and those nearby instinctively grew tense.
To the citizens of the Empire, the Nant Tribe was regarded almost as a natural disaster.
They were a people who could only survive by attacking others.
Their homeland was barren, making farming impossible, and their distinct appearance made it impossible for them to blend into other nations.
For them, hunting and raiding were the only ways to fill their stomachs.
Thus, unless the tribe was completely eradicated, human casualties would continue indefinitely.
But everyone already knew that.
So why was the Archduke bringing it up now, as if it were new?
Could it be that he had discovered a clue beyond the tribe’s nature—something deeper?
All eyes turned toward him, curiosity sharp in every gaze.
The Empress, too, was startled—but for a very different reason.
She already knew the true cause behind the Nant Tribe’s unrelenting raids on the Bilfaud Territory.
After a brief silence, the Empress turned her eyes toward the Emperor’s coffin and spoke softly.
“This discussion may take some time. For now, you should go pay your respects to His Majesty. Once this ceremony concludes, I’ll send someone to meet with you.”
***
“Here you are.”
The moment Iona spotted the Archduke, she spoke in a voice that was warm with relief.
The Archduke, who had been hiding in a secluded corner out of sight, immediately raised a finger to his lips. “Shh,” he warned quietly.
Iona, noticing his caution, reassured him in a calm tone.
“I checked on my way here — there’s no one around. All the palace attendants have gone to where the Emperor’s body lies in state.”
“The Empress?”
“She’s busy receiving guests inside. As for the Crown Prince, I’d wager he’s holed up in his quarters, scheming his next move. He’s so desperate to ascend the throne as soon as possible that he can hardly sit still.”
Only then did the Archduke seem to relax. He reached into his coat and pulled out a cigar case.
Since it was too risky for him and Iona to meet openly, he had slipped out the moment their eyes met — and, judging by the spot he’d chosen, he had quite the knack for finding hidden corners.
With Iona, once a royal knight herself, vouching that the area was safe, there was no reason to worry.
The Archduke bit down on the cigar and muttered irritably,
“That woman—still as detestable as ever, even after all this time.”
“Father,” came Walter’s mild voice, as though to dissuade him.
But it wasn’t the Archduke’s sharp tongue that Valter wanted to restrain—it was the cigar.
As his father struck a match, Walter gently stayed his hand and flicked a glance toward Iona.
“She’s on a no-smoking streak,” he said, half-whispering.
“…What?”
The Archduke turned sluggishly to look at Iona.
Though his expression was puzzled, he obediently tucked the cigar back into its case.
Iona, a little embarrassed, watched him do so.
It was certainly a relief not to have her patience tested—but she couldn’t shake the feeling that the father and son were being a touch overdramatic.
“I didn’t expect you to bring Walter along,” she said, glancing at him.
For the Archduke, bringing his son was a variable that changed everything.
No one could predict how the Crown Prince Richard would react upon seeing Walter again.
If Richard, still seething with resentment, decided to abduct Walter once more, it would be a troublesome mess to untangle.
Then again, Iona thought privately, perhaps it’s better this way—keeping him close, where he can be watched and protected.
While that thought flickered through her mind, the Archduke let out a weary sigh.
“Ah… these days… seem to have developed separation anxiety.”
“...Walter has?”
Iona gave the young man a once-over, her expression one of surprise.
Considering what Walter had been through, it wouldn’t be strange if he had developed such symptoms—but it was hardly a diagnosis that suited a man with his strong, composed bearing.
Before Walter could even respond to her skeptical look, the Archduke answered himself, wearing a rather troubled expression.
“No, I meant me.”
A brief silence settled among the three of them.
Given the Archduke’s personality, it didn’t sound like a joke.
Iona finally managed to find her words.
“…You must have been deeply worried for your son.”
“To think I walked back into this lunatic palace of my own accord—I still can’t believe it,” the Archduke said bitterly. “Honestly, if I could, I’d grab my nephew too and run away with both of you.”
As he said it, his gaze fixed on Iona—intense, almost mischievous.
His expression made it plain that he wasn’t entirely joking; he looked ready to hoist her over his shoulder right then and there.
She should have felt touched by such affection, but instead, a cold sweat crept down her back.
She had come here with something important to deliver—and the moment she brought it up, she feared he might actually act on that wild impulse.
Trying to steady the mood, Iona spoke in an even voice.
“Still, I’m glad you arrived on time. I’ve been meaning to give you something, but after the Emperor’s passing, the security grew too strict to smuggle it out.”
“Something?” the Archduke asked, puzzled.
If it were merely information, she could have passed it along through one of their usual couriers.
What could possibly be so important that she had to hand it over in person?
Both the Archduke and Walter straightened slightly, their expressions turning serious.
Iona looked between them, took a deep breath, and reached into her cloak.
From within, she carefully drew out an envelope—something she had kept hidden all along.
She extended it to the Archduke and said quietly,
“It’s a letter from Princess Teresa… or rather, from my mother. I found what she left behind for me.”
---The End Of The Chapter---
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